Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Haagen-Dazs Limoncello Gelato Review

[By Nick, New for 2013] Ever since my fairly positive encounter with Ben & Jerry’s Liz Lemon earlier this year, I have been seriously craving lemon flavored desserts. A quick glace through the freezer isle shows that lemon is a very neglected flavor when it comes to creamy applications. Sure there are tons of sorbets and Italian ices but there is little to none of it in ice cream form. So with one Haagen-Dazs gelato under my belt and a hunger for some lemon goodness, I thought it would be the perfect time to pick up Haagen-Dazs Limoncello Gelato.

Haagen-Dazs describes this one as “creamy lemon gelato with vodka.” Now I normally stay away from alcohol infused flavors since I’m straight edge and so I’m not really sure what to expect. However, one of my alcoholic versed friends informed me that vodka is essentially flavorless. Well okay, but then why would they include it in the first place since it adds no flavor? Whatever the case may be, I was less hesitant to give this one a try than I originally was.

With the protective seal removed, the gelato is a very light shade of yellow. I appreciate that since it looks natural just like the flesh of the lemon and not the rind as depicted on the label.

Like the other H-D "gelatos", the texture is nice and smooth but in an ice cream sort of way and not quite velvety like a true gelato. As for taste, it reminded me of Ben & Jerry’s Liz Lemon albeit not quite as tame. There are a bit more citrusy elements going on but there is no tartness to speak of. I enjoy that because it really lets the lemon flavor shine through without it being too overbearing or distracting.

As for the vodka, well I couldn’t sense anything at all so I guess my friend was right on it being flavorless. That or I just have the palate of a two year old. Either is highly possible. All in all, this is a very solid base offering from Haagen-Dazs. It’s not going to blow your mind but it’s going to leave you satisfied. While I still can’t call it gelato, it’s a very respectable treat.

Verdict? A refreshing lemon flavor that could use some mix-ins…Buy Again? Of course.

Okay I’m going to be honest; there was an ulterior motive for me picking up this flavor. See, I really want to try a lemon cookie ice cream but no company around me offers it. Seeing as Haagen-Dazs is the only one to make a lemon base that isn’t sorbet, Italian ice or sherbet, they were my only choice if I was going to make my own respectable lemon cookie flavor. A few crushed golden oreos later and there we have it. This addition easily turned this flavor into an all-star. There’s just something about the sweetness of the golden Oreos that mixes perfectly with the zesty lemon base. Haagen-Dazs, if this gelato thing doesn’t work out, you can use my idea for a limited edition flavor next year!

24 comments:

Careful, Nick, or you're going to give them ideas for next flavors. I won't be surprised if we see lemon cookies or lemon bars as mix-ins in lemon-flavored ice creams or yogurts in the future. I don't think it has been done yet but with the new lemon flavors by B&J's and Haagen-Dazs, I won't count them out.

@Olivia: I saw there Lemon Pie and passed on it this year. I'm not a fan of shortbread cookies at all. However, I've heard a lot of positive things so I might just have to grab it when it returns next year.

Yes to vodka inclusion explanation, no to grammar mocking :) Not this time anyway.

Yes, the vodka is supposed to help with the texture, most homemade ice cream recipes recommend adding vodka (unless you want some flavor from a flavored alcohol), which of course you don't generally see in mass produced ice creams.

It's likely that their process or this particular recipe needed the alcohol to match what you experienced in some other gelato.

@Dana: aha okay, my bad. To be honest, I think they only added it to continue with their "Italian" theme. Lemon gelato would be too similar to the Lemon flavor they had in their 5 line so the inclusion of vodka makes it technically different. I could be wrong but I still feel like these gelato flavors are all just a re-branding of the 5 line they replaced.

I do not believe it contains alcohol. (I assume) the only reason for them to insert the word Vodka, is because "limocello" is a vodka based lemon zest drink. Apparently this ice cream is "Lemonzesty" flavored not just lemony.

Haha...I came upon your thread when googling whether or not the alcohol was cooked out. My husband just picked this up (knowing I love lemon...and awesome ive cream) but since I'm pregnant I stoppedeating when I read 'vodka'...you saved my night. ;)

I just bought this at the grocery store thinking that it would be similar to the amazing lemon gelato that I had in Rome. I was disappointed. it was good but didn't taste anything like the Italian gelato.

It was more like an ice cream with a lemon flavor that was too bland for me.